Zelenskyy discusses deploying Ukrainian drone experts to Gulf states

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Gulf officials — including Qatar's leadership — about deploying Ukrainian drone warfare experts to Gulf states to help defend against Iranian drone and missile attacks. Ukraine's armed forces have developed extensive real-world expertise defending against Iranian Shahed-136 loitering munitions supplied to Russia: interceptors, acoustic detection, electronic countermeasures, and optimal deployment of mobile air defence assets. The offer represents Ukraine's most direct involvement in the Iran conflict and a significant diplomatic outreach to Gulf states who are experiencing the same weapons that Ukraine has been defending against since 2022. Qatar confirmed the call but declined to detail any deployment agreement. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the potential deployment 'provocative.' Ukraine is using the Iran war to deepen Gulf relationships — Gulf sovereign wealth funds are a potential source of reconstruction funding for post-war Ukraine.